Page 5 of Holiday Hook-Up
I grinned as Gary called him up by his nickname, Chris Cross. He peeked at the label and then into the gift bag, grabbing a peppermint patty, the last candy on earth I’d choose as a favorite. “Sweet!” His eyes traveled across the room, landing on me. He gave me a thumbs up.
Warmth radiated from my chest to my limbs watching my coworkers’ joyful faces as they received their presents. It didn’t matter that we were adults, we all worked our asses off. This sliver of childlike wonder is what made Christmas magical.
If only that feeling lasted more than five minutes.
I twisted my head toward the entrance following the sounds of raucous laughter to find Darius, Scooter, and a few other guys from maintenance stumbling into the party.Great.Just when I was enjoying myself.Darius was holding Scooter up, although by the looks of him, he could barely walk straight himself.
Don’t make eye contact. Maybe he won’t notice me.
It was too late for wishful thinking. I peeked across my shoulder in their direction to find Darius’s dark eyes laser focused on me.
Shit. The last thing I needed was him causing a scene. Half our coworkers already knew about our hookup from a few months ago and how he wouldn’t let it go. I would have never, ever gone there if I’d known he was married.
I pushed out of my chair and grabbed my purse. Time to go. Thank God I didn’t drink much and was able to drive. Darius leaned in to whisper something in Scooter’s ear and my stomach rolled as I watched him turn to follow me out the door.
I quickened my pace, my heels clicking on the marble floor of the lobby. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but he was known to be erratic when he drank. Pushy and loud enough to make me uncomfortable.
Melvin was working the door, looking lost in thought with his head in a book. Darius wouldn’t try anything in front of someone. Would he?
As fast as I was, Darius’s long stride caught up to me. His palm gripped my shoulder, firm enough to make me cry out. He guided me against the wall, shielded from Melvin’s view.
“Why are you running from me baby? I just wanna talk.” He slurred into my ear. I winced at the sharp smell of booze reaching my nostrils.
Shaking myself from his grasp, I faced him. I once found his dangerous dark gaze enticing, but now it made me shudder. “Darius, let me go. You’re drunk and I have nothing to say to you.”
He pushed forward, bending to speak into my ear again. The coarse stubble on his jawline scratched painfully against my cheek.
“You didn’t seem to mind me drinking last time.” His palm grazed the hem of my dress, making his way toward my inner thighs. “Let’s see if you’re as wet now as you were then.”
“No,” I cried out, pushing against him with all the force my 5‘4″ body held. As he stumbled back a step I took off, not paying any attention to where I was going as long as it was away from him.
Would he follow me? I wouldn’t put it past him. My breath was ragged and my pulse pounded. The realization hit me that I was headed in the opposite direction of my car, but I couldn’t change course now. Not with Darius likely still in the lobby or following close behind me. He wouldn’t like being rejected again.
I looked up, taking in the door at the end of the hallway. The gym. Maybe I could hide in there and call someone to distract him. Yes, that’s what I’d do.
Chapter 3
Logan
From: [email protected]
Date: Friday, Dec 23 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Welcome to my humble abode
The Honorable Sir Connor,
It’s come to my attention that you’re in need of an assistant for the holidays and I was told not to take no for an answer. Seriously, that assistant of yours is one tough cookie. I’ve searched far and wide, throughout Greyridge and beyond, and I present to you my finest concierge: Emmy Handler, for all your assistantly needs.
Do let me know when you’ve arrived, as I would like to personally present you with a gift basket—handmade—featuring Greyridge’s finest products, and introduce you to Ms. Handler myself. Also, I’m available 24/7, including on Christmas morning if you need someone to hang with. I know a great diner in Scranton. Best tuna melt I’ve ever had. Waitresses aren’t bad to look at either, if you catch my drift.
Cheers!
Mr. Gary Woods
VIP, Director of Fun, Master of Friendship, Head Honcho, Greyridge Magazines Award Winner-Most Letters to the Editor Sent
